Chapter Seven Author: Alicia S. Rivers Last Updated: 2024-09-24 05:52:56
When we got to the mall, we walked into the clothing store. “I need a new dress,” Cassie said, pulling me to the back and starting to go through the racks.
“Why do you need one of these dresses?” I asked, pulling a dress off the rack and holding it to my body. The form-fitting dress flared out at the bottom. It was a beautiful mermaid formal dress, but white wasn’t my color.
“Your homecoming ball.” Cassie grabbed a short pink number that would look horrible with her skin tone.
“Put that down, and what do you mean, homecoming ball?” Cassie froze and then slowly turned back to me.
“Don’t tell your dad I told you.” She rushed back to me and grabbed my hands. “Frick, I knew I was going to mess this up. You’re my best friend, and I knew I would mess this up.”
“Calm down,” I laughed. “I would never tell my dad you messed up.” I wrapped my hands around her shoulders and shook her gently. “Cassie, calm down and just tell me.”
She smiled and nodded. “I was supposed to take you dress shopping for a surprise homecoming party tonight. You know your dad.”
“I do. Which is why I shouldn’t be surprised.” I smiled and then forced the pink dress out of her hands. “But this, this needs to go back, and you have to promise me you will never touch it again.” I put it back on the rack. I started to go through the dresses and pulled a pale golden sheath dress that would look absolutely amazing on her. “Here, try this on.”
“I don’t know, Amy.”
“Listen to your best friend.” I pushed her back toward the change rooms, and then I looked through the rack for myself. I was blissfully window shopping when I heard a voice that made my hackles rise.
“Take it off now.” I could feel the power in the tone, and then I heard Cassie’s sweet voice waver.
“You aren’t supposed to command another wolf. You aren’t in a position to demand anything from weaker wolves.” Cassie’s voice sounded pained.
“Well then, take off the f***ing dress, and I wouldn’t have to.” Nix was in a full rage as I rounded the wall and saw Cassie being held face-first into a wall, with a snarling red-headed she-wolf behind her with her cronies.
“And why would she do that?” I asked, pushing my hand outward and checking my nails as fear scented the air.
Slowly, the she-wolves all turned, and then finally Amanda turned with a sweet smile. “Amy, welcome back.” I lifted my lip at her.
“Why are you touching Cassie?” I smiled at her slowly. “Specifically, why are you trying to take a dress I picked out for her?”
“You picked this dress? It’s amazing.”
I nodded. “I know. That’s why I picked it out. It matches Cassie perfectly.” I walked over and pulled Cassie away from the crowd of women. “Let me look at you.” I saw the fear in her eyes, and Nix snarled. No one touched our friend. Cassie’s wolf, Nora, was a timid brown wolf that Nix took a liking to. “You’re stunning. This is the dress.”
“Wait.” Amanda walked over next to us. “I saw this dress on Cassie and thought that it clashed with her usual style.”
“And you thought it would look better on you?” I smirked as Amanda tried to stare me in the eye and failed. I felt her aura punch up a notch, and Cassie whimpered. “Well, too bad. We had it first.” I tried to handle this without the pissing contest, but Amanda punched up her aura again.
Cassie whimpered and looked at me. “I can pick a different dress. It’s okay.” She turned to take the dress off, and I saw a flash of triumph on Amanda’s face.
“No. If you don’t want it, I’ll buy it for myself. I picked it up first, so it’s mine. Amanda, you understand, don’t you?” I smiled down at the other she-wolf, and I could scent her frustration.
“Okay, Amy. It’s yours.” Cassie smiled at me before hustling back to the change room and taking off the dress before handing it to me. “Did you have anything you wanted to try on?”
“No, I am just going to buy these two dresses, and we can go look at jewelry.” I smiled over at the huddled group of women. “I hope you guys find a dress for tonight.” Then we left.
Once we were out of earshot, I let out the snarl I was holding in. The air rumbled between my lips, and Cassie ducked her head. A little bit of my aura leaked, and I felt guilty, but I was livid.
“Don’t be mad, Aim.” Cassie grabbed for my arm, and I watched her eyes flinch when she saw Nix’s golden eye staring back at her.
“She is not mad, little one,” Nix’s smokey voice came from my lip. She had taken over as I when I lost my temper. “I am, though. For such a weak wolf to think it is okay to wield her power in such a way when she is not even ranked. What has become of your pack? What is wrong with my father’s pack?”
“Without a Luna, the she-wolves who are unmated all act this way. They think the more power they wield, the more likely they will be able to find a mate.” Cassie bowed her head.
“None of that, little one. You do not bow to me.” Nix pulled her head up and rubbed our cheek against hers, rubbing our scent on her. “You are ours. The other she-wolves should not demand things from you. It is not the way of wolves unless you are ranked. Everyone else is equal.”
“Not here.” Cassie wiped her eye and then turned to smile at me. “Can Amy come back, Nix? We have to get set for tonight.”
“Of course.” Nix receded to the back of my mind. But she was already deep in conversation with Loki. I knew we would have an interesting conversation with my father tonight.